In the heart of midtown Manhattan, Romeo + Juliet‘s cast, alongside 800 of their closest friends, transformed The Pool + The Grill into a vibrant Shakespearean celebration following the production’s dazzling Broadway debut. Playing for a limited twenty-week engagement at Circle In The Square Theatre, this contemporary take on the classic tragedy combined Gen-Z energy with raw NYC flair. The reimagined adaptation—featuring playful twists like Lady Capulet sipping from a college-trend “Borg” jug labeled “To Borg Or Not To Borg”—brought a fresh perspective to Shakespeare’s timeless tale.

With their emotional performances, Rachel Zegler and Kit Connor—embodying the tragic lovers—captivated the audience and made them wonder. While Annie Murphy delighted audiences with her relevant race to beat the interval lines, celebrities like Busy Phillips, accompanied by her daughter Birdie, savored Twizzlers with fellow theatergoers. Sitting among friends, Jack Antonoff and Margaret Qualley got many compliments on Antonoff’s musical contributions to the concert. The jubilation extended onto the streets and into the opulent setting of The Pool + The Grill, a location well-known for staging legendary events as flowers poured onto the stage. With the energetic sounds of music bringing guests in from blocks away, visitors followed the light of beaded drapes lit in the characteristic Playbill Pink tint. Playbills in one hand and Parm sandwiches in the other, they mixed to the beats of Charli XCX and Chappell Roan, shouting out perfect harmony—because, if anyone knows how to sing along, it’s theater buffs.

Servers in edgy costumes inspired by the show passed around individual spicy vodka rigatoni servings and prime rib sliders. Signature drinks reflected the infamous family feud, with “The Capulet” (vodka soda with lemon) and “The Montague” (tequila soda with lime). As the cast basked in the afterglow of their opening night, they swapped their costumes for chic outfits, greeted by cheers from the crowd.

Drag queens in bodysuits inspired by Mugler mixed with the audience while a live six-piece horn section joined the DJ for an explosive finish. Mini ice cream sandwiches were a delightful addition to the evening for guests. Like the production, the evening celebrated love, grief, and the theatrical magic that made it unforgettable—a mix of tradition and contemporary. Even although farewell was such sweet sadness, it was evident as the party came to an end that this inaugural night was one to remember.
Drag queens in bodysuits inspired by Mugler mixed with the audience while a live six-piece horn section joined the DJ for an explosive finish. Mini ice cream sandwiches were a delightful addition to the evening for guests. Like the production, the evening celebrated love, grief, and the theatrical magic that made it unforgettable—a mix of tradition and contemporary. Even although farewell was such sweet sadness, it was evident as the party came to an end that this inaugural night was one to remember.